A Christmas bash for councillors has been branded “disgusting” by hard-up pensioners.

North Lanarkshire Council’s swingeing budget cuts included axeing the £15 festive bonus usually paid out to OAPs.

But that has not stopped the local authority’s elected representatives gearing up for their own festive celebrations at the council-tax payers’ expense.

The annual reception, which was cancelled last year due to cuts, will go ahead next Thursday at the Civic Centre in Motherwell and it has left many Monklands residents fuming.

Gabe Smith, 67, from Chapelhall said: “I think it is utterly disgusting that this party is going ahead when pensioners have lost out on their £15.

“That’s a lot of money for some people at this time of year. It really is out of order.

“It is always the poor and the elderly who get hammered with this type of thing.

“The councillors should have the decency to cancel this event when so many are struggling to make ends meet this year.”

The decision to cut the Christmas gift for pensioners was revealed in council cuts in February but a lot of the people affected were unaware of the change.

Many had budgeted for receiving the money and it came as a shock when they realised it had been withdrawn.

Glenboig man Hugh McPherson, 73, said: “This is nothing more than the council playing the role of Scrooge. That £15 payment is a crucial part of many pensioners’ Christmas budget.

“Money is already very tight at the moment without this being taken away.

“There will be some who won’t now get to have as nice a Christmas dinner or buy some of their loved ones presents.

“The extra kick in the teeth is that the councillors will enjoy their own party and no doubt get about the same amount of money to fund that as we’re missing out on.”

Matthew Eve, 63, said: “The councillors are taking away the Christmas £15 bonus for pensioners, which is a lot of money for some, while they are having a reception.

“They never have their noses out of the trough, that’s their problem.”

Airdrie North and South councillors Sophia and Michael Coyle say they will boycott the council reception in protest at the cash cut.

Ms Coyle said: “The Provost’s reception was cancelled last year because the council didn’t want to be seen as being merry but it is being held this year.

“I have already made up my mind not to attend due to the non-payment of the pensioners’ Christmas bonus as I wouldn’t feel right enjoying a glass of wine while people miss out on items because they can’t afford them.

“This is not the right time or place to hold this event and I don’t see what has changed from last year. I would like the council to rethink their decision to hold the reception and don’t see why the pensioners’ bonus has been completely cut when they could even have reduced it back to the old £10.”

Councillor Michael Coyle added: “At this time of year pensioners are struggling financially as it is and councillors shouldn’t be seen as rubbing it in by attending this Provost’s reception.”

A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council said: “The decision to end the £15 Christmas gift to the elderly was taken in February of this year, as part of the council’s saving package, after a full consultation. Of the 268 options considered, ending the scheme was the saving most favoured by residents.